TSA Ends Shoe Removal Policy

Passengers at U.S. airports will no longer have to remove their shoes for security checks before boarding their flight.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 at 09:33 AM ET

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Zach Vasile

A TSA checkpoint. (Photo: Shutterstock)

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Americans will get to bypass one of the most roundly disliked airport security measures.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Tuesday that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer require passengers to remove their shoes while being checked for weapons, drugs, and other contraband.

“Our security technology has changed dramatically,” Noem said during a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. “It’s evolved. TSA has changed. We have a multilayered, whole-of-government approach now to security and to the environment that people anticipate and experience when they come into an airport that has been honed and it’s been hardened.”

The change went into effect immediately at all U.S. airports.

The TSA implemented its shoe removal rule in 2006, in part due to a failed shoe bombing plotted by British national Richard Reid. In December 2001, only three months after the 9/11 attacks, Reid attempted to ignite explosives concealed within his shoes while on an American flight from Paris to Miami. The explosives failed to detonate, and several passengers subdued and restrained Reid until the flight could land in Boston.

Reid later pleaded guilty to eight federal criminal charges, including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted homicide, and was sentenced to three consecutive life terms plus 110 years in prison with no possibility of parole.

Shoe removal had been unpopular with much of the flying public since its implementation, and the TSA was aware of it. Last year, the agency released a video advertisement for its PreCheck service featuring customers who all gave just one reason for joining the program: they didn’t have to remove their shoes at the airport anymore.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

American Seeks Injunction to Halt O’Hare Gate Reallocation

According to the filing, American claims it “will suffer irreparable harm from the Gate Redetermination, which will reduce American’s gate share at O’Hare.”

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 at 08:57 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An American A321 in Chicago. (Photo: Shutterstock | MKPhoto12)

Court documents filed last week reveal that American is seeking a preliminary injunction against the City of Chicago to halt a contentious gate redetermination at O’Hare International Airport, scheduled for October 1, 2025.

The airline’s legal team filed the motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, arguing that the planned gate space reallocation violates provisions in the Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA) between American and the city.

According to the filing, American claims it “will suffer irreparable harm from the Gate Redetermination, which will reduce American’s gate share at O’Hare.” The airline further contends this reduction would “undermine American’s competitive position, erode customer goodwill, disrupt its operational efficiency, and necessitate significant changes to its business model.”

The motion specifically requests that the court prohibit the defendants — the City of Chicago and Michael P. McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation — from initiating the next redetermination of gate space at O’Hare until at least April 1, 2027.

In May, American sued the City of Chicago over the allocation of gate space at the airport. The legal action, filed in a federal court in Illinois, centers on a dispute over the premature redetermination of gate assignments that American claims violates the terms of the Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA).

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Top 5 Airline Job Openings This Week From FindaPilot.com

Explore top pilot jobs from B747 Captains to First Officers at leading airlines. Find your dream job on FindaPilot.com and advance your career today.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 at 05:30 AM ET

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Steve Spears

Inside a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight deck at the Farnborough Airshow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

As the aviation industry continues its dynamic and often turbulent path, opportunities for skilled professionals are constantly evolving.

For those looking to advance their careers or find their next role, FindaPilot.com serves as a vital tool, connecting pilots with employers for positions ranging from airline and corporate to charter and contract work.

The platform allows employers to find qualified candidates for everything from a single-day trip to staffing an entire airline. This roundup highlights some of the top positions currently available.

Captain – PSA Airlines

Have a minimum of 2,500 total flight hours with at least 500 hours of PIC or at least 950 hours as SIC.

A320 Captains – Crew Leasing/Agency

Zenon Recruitment is looking for candidates with a minimum 4,500 hours total jet time and 2,000 hours A310 PIC time.

EASA A320 Captains – Aeroprofessional Limited

Applicants must have the right to live and work in the EU.

BE-99 Captain – Ameriflight

Cargo airline seeks applicants with 1,200 hours total time, 500 hours PIC.

First Officer – Horizon Air

Requires 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time to serve as pilot in command in part 121 operations.

Some Help for Your Aviation Job Hunt

Which U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots? Despite the overall slowdown in hiring, some airlines are still looking for new pilots. Here are the airlines that are currently hiring pilots in the United States. Read more

How to Become a Regional Airline Pilot: The path to becoming a regional airline pilot requires hard work and dedication, but it opens the door to a world of opportunities in the airline world. Read more

Aviation’s Next Hiring Boom: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates four percent growth for aircraft and avionics mechanics through 2032. Read more

How To Become a Chief Pilot: Chief pilots are senior crewmembers with significant experience in safe flight operations. Airlines hire their own captains into management positions to oversee flight operations on a specific aircraft type in which they have expertise; some even hire a chief pilot for each base in their network. Read more

Careers in Sustainable Aviation: As the world increasingly invests in sustainable aviation, many exciting green jobs have emerged throughout the industry. Read more

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

American Adds a New Bus Route

The carrier partners with bus company Landline to connect some airports with its Philadelphia hub that would otherwise not be economical on a regional aircraft.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, July 07, 2025 at 04:57 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A Landline bus in Wilmington (Photo: Landline)

American is planning to add a new point to its route map. The carrier partners with bus company Landline to connect some airports with its Philadelphia hub that would otherwise not be economical on a regional aircraft.

Landline’s buses currently link Philadelphia and Atlantic City, New Jersey, Wilmington, Delaware, and Scranton and Allentown, Pennsylvania. The company also partners with United, Sun Country, and Air Canada.

Starting on Sept. 22, the airline will use buses to operate the 33-mile trip from Trenton, New Jersey, to Philadelphia, as first reported by Enilria. This route will operate three times per day.

Service to Trenton will be “full secure-side,” the carrier said, so travelers can check their bags and clear security when departing Trenton and arrive in Philadelphia airside for any connecting travel.

An airline spokesperson confirmed the additional route. Currently, Trenton is only served by Frontier.

Ryan Ewing

WestJet Adding New Destinations, Routes

Canadian airline WestJet is adding new seasonal destinations and routes this winter, including flights to Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 07, 2025 at 02:25 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

A WestJet 737 MAX 8. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Canadian airline WestJet is adding new seasonal destinations and routes this winter.

Starting in December, the carrier will fly nonstop to five new cities: Panama City, Panama; Guadalajara and Tepic in Mexico; Havana, Cuba; and Managua, Nicaragua.

The most frequent service of this group will be between Calgary, Canada, and Panama City, which will operate four times weekly between Dec. 13, 2025, and April 25, 2026. Flights between Calgary and Guadalajara (Dec. 7-April 12) and Toronto and Havana (Dec. 18-April 23) will run twice a week, while routes between Calgary and Tepic (Dec. 13-April 25) and Montreal and Managua (Dec. 18-April 2) will operate once a week.

WestJet is also expanding routes to and from cities it already serves, also between December and April.

Added Calgary Service

Once per week, the carrier will fly nonstop between Calgary and Cozumel, Mexico (Dec. 20-April 11); Calgary and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (Dec. 14-April 12); Vancouver, Canada, and Liberia, Costa Rica (Dec. 12-April 24); Quebec City, Canada, and Montego Bay, Jamaica (Dec. 6-April 11); Thunder Bay, Canada, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (Dec. 16-April 7); and Winnipeg, Canada, and Liberia (Dec. 19-April 25). Service between Montreal and Samana, Dominican Republic, will operate twice a week between Dec. 11 and April 12.

Returning nonstop seasonal routes include once-weekly flights between Edmonton, Canada, and Montego Bay (Nov. 2-April 12); Quebec City and San Andres, Colombia (Dec. 8-April 6); and Toronto and Samana (Dec. 11-April 23).

WestJet 737 MAX — A WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“Canadians want value while escaping the cold, and WestJet’s 2025/2026 winter schedule delivers on both affordability and choice,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s group executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “By expanding our sun network, strengthening key routes, and growing strategically across Canada and internationally, WestJet is coming through for Canadians by connecting them to the destinations they love at prices they can afford.”

This winter, WestJet will operate a total of 305 routes, with 62 warm weather destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America. The carrier’s full 2025-26 winter schedule will be available for booking starting July 14.

Zach Vasile

American’s AstroJet Returns to the Skies

American Airlines’ AstroJet – a Boeing 737-800 adorned with a unique retro livery – returned to revenue service last week.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, July 07, 2025 at 10:09 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

American's AstroJet retro livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

American Airlines’ AstroJet – a Boeing 737-800 adorned with a unique retro livery – returned to revenue service last week. The aircraft has not flown since mid-December.

According to aviation watchdog JonNYC, the jet was damaged on the ground in Philadelphia. It remained grounded since Dec. 14, per Flightradar24 data.

On July 1, it ferried from Philadelphia to Chicago after Boeing assisted in completing the repairs. The 13-year-old aircraft – which is registered as N905NN – operated its first passenger-carrying flight since December from Chicago to Providence, Rhode Island, on July 2.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 registered as N905NN (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Unique Retro Livery

American’s Astrojet livery is a retro-inspired paint scheme that pays tribute to the carrier’s branding during the early jet age. Originally introduced in 1962 with the arrival of the Boeing 707 and 727, the Astrojet design reflected the airline’s modern image at the time, featuring polished bare metal fuselages accented by a bold red-orange cheatline and a stylized eagle logo.

The carrier has applied this classic design to select aircraft as part of its heritage fleet, including N905NN. The retro livery features period-authentic details, such as the original “Astrojet” titling near the forward fuselage and the vintage American eagle logo on the tail.

American’s AstroJet retro livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The livery has been applied to other aircraft in the past, including a 757-200. It was previously added to another 737-800 – registered as N951AA – which now bears American’s standard livery.

American has several different retro liveries, including throwbacks to PSA, Piedmont, Allegheny, and US Airways.

Ryan Ewing

Air France-KLM to Take Control of SAS

Air France-KLM announced Friday that it will take a majority stake in Scandinavian Airlines, the national airline of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 07, 2025 at 09:48 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An SAS Airbus A320neo (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air France-KLM announced Friday that it will take a majority stake in Scandinavian Airlines, the national airline of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

In a statement, the company said it will fully acquire stakes held by investment firms Castlelake and Lind Invest, boosting its share of SAS from 19.9% to 60.5%.

No financial terms were disclosed. The deal must be cleared by European regulators, and is tentatively scheduled to close in the second half of 2026.

If the acquisition does go through, SAS would become a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. The two already have a codeshare agreement in place, but a majority buyout would allow for even greater integration, including reciprocity in loyalty programs.

An Air France Airbus A319 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air France-KLM said the government of Denmark will retain its 26.4% stake in SAS and its seats on the carrier’s board of directors.

“We are excited by the prospect of fully welcoming SAS into the Air France-KLM family,” said Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith. “Following their successful restructuring, SAS has delivered impressive performance, and we are confident that the airline’s potential will continue to grow through deeper integration within the Air France-KLM Group.”

Air France-KLM is headquartered in Paris and serves as the holding company for Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and low-cost carrier Transavia. The company took its initial stake in SAS in 2023 as the airline underwent restructuring after filing for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. SAS fully emerged from bankruptcy in August 2024.

Zach Vasile

Swissport Invests €1.5 Billion in Electric GSE Fleet

Swissport plans to invest €1.5 billion over five years to electrify its ground support equipment fleet, aiming to reduce emissions.

Tolga Karadeniz

Saturday, July 05, 2025 at 07:30 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Swissport electric GSE fleet (Photo: Swissport)

Swissport announced that it will invest €1.5 billion over the next five years to electrify its ground support equipment (GSE) fleet, aiming to build the largest electric GSE operation in the global aviation industry.

The company, which operates at more than 300 airports across 45 countries, said the investment will support the purchase of over 30,000 electric vehicles and related infrastructure upgrades at airport stations worldwide.

70% of Fleet to Go Electric by 2032

The initiative is part of Swissport’s long-term strategy to reduce its operational carbon emissions and meet international climate targets. The company aims to convert at least 70% of its motorized GSE fleet to electric by 2032, up from approximately 16% as of 2024.

“This €1.5 billion investment marks a turning point for Swissport and the industry as a whole,” the company said in a press release. “Electrification of our fleet is one of the key levers to achieving our emissions reduction goals.”

The investment will include the deployment of electric-powered baggage tractors, belt loaders, cargo loaders, pushback tugs, and passenger stairs. Swissport also confirmed it will partner with airport operators to expand charging infrastructure and provide training to its staff for the safe operation and maintenance of the new electric units.

Rollout Begins in Europe and North America

The project is expected to begin rolling out later this year at major hubs in Europe and North America, with a broader implementation planned for stations in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America by the end of the decade.

Swissport previously committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2050, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The transition to electric GSE is seen as a critical component of that commitment.

Swissport ground personnel preparing a flight for departure. (Photo: Swissport International Ltd. (SPI))

The ground services provider handles approximately 186 million passengers and 4.8 million tons of cargo annually on behalf of over 850 airline customers worldwide.

As part of the electrification roadmap, Swissport has already begun introducing electric vehicles at key airports including Zurich, Frankfurt, and Los Angeles. The company said it will continue to prioritize stations with existing grid capacity and favorable regulatory environments for rapid deployment.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Livery of the Week: SkyTeam

Over the years, it has been featured on aircraft ranging from a Czech Airlines ATR-42 to a China Airlines Boeing 747-400.

Andrew Chen

Friday, July 04, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An Air France Boeing 777-300ER in the SkyTeam livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Noah Escobar)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

Despite the varying liveries of its member airlines, SkyTeam has a distinctive livery worn on select aircraft throughout its members’ fleets. Each SkyTeam member has a few airframes that bear the alliance’s distinctive silver and blue paint job.

The livery has a silver fuselage with a dark blue tail that features the SkyTeam logo. Along the rear of the fuselage, there is a large version of the ribbon from the alliance’s logo. Toward the front of the plane, the SkyTeam name is displayed in blue above the carrier’s name.

A Korean Boeing 777-300ER in the SkyTeam livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

SkyTeam’s livery debuted on March 31, 2009, on a Delta Boeing 767-400 registered as N844MH, with the inaugural flight for the livery being from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Milan’s Malpensa Airport. The aircraft remains in the SkyTeam livery today.

The paint job was designed by Brandimage – Desgrippes & Laga, a design firm based in Northbrook, Illinois. Over the years, it has been featured on aircraft ranging from a Czech Airlines ATR-42 to a China Airlines Boeing 747-400.

The SkyTeam livery on a KLM Boeing 737-900 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

Malaysia Airlines Nearing New Deal With Airbus

According to Reuters, Malaysia Aviation Group is nearing a deal for more A330neo aircraft after placing an initial order for 20 in 2022.

Zach Vasile

Friday, July 04, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Malaysia Airlines' second A330neo. (Photo: Malaysia Airlines)

Malaysia Aviation Group is reportedly nearing a deal for more Airbus A330neo long-haul jets.

According to Reuters, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines could announce the order later this week when Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visits Paris. The outlet cited unnamed industry sources with knowledge of discussions between the carrier and the airplane manufacturer.

MAG placed its first order for the A330neo in 2022 in a four-way agreement with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and aircraft leasing company Avolon. Airbus is set to deliver 20 of the aircraft to MAG through 2028.

The first A330neo from that order arrived in November of last year, when it flew nonstop from Toulouse, France, to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airline now has three A330neos in its fleet and is using them to operate routes to Melbourne, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Bali in Indonesia.

Additional A330neos will support long-haul service to destinations in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.

Malaysia Airlines’ A330neos are fitted with 38 business-class seats and 269 economy-class seats.

The carrier’s current fleet consists of a mix of Airbus and Boeing jets, including the A350 and 737 MAX 8.

Zach Vasile